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"There used to be a post office there and you could buy a newspaper there.

"None of those things you can do anymore in the precinct, you can buy second-hand furniture and get your prescriptions filled. That's about it.

"I do think it is encouraging to see the developer invest in this, in order to bring back a regional centre. I think the significance of that is people should walk to it or cycle to it, as it is a local centre."

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Mr Irving said council officers were satisfied with plans to provide 200 parking spaces and insisted the applicants would try and encourage people to walk and cycle to the new centre rather than drive.

He also said the applicants were "creating a much better environment" for people living in the flats above the shops, who have been consulted about the proposals.